Lucien calmly said...

“I didn’t insult you--and you needn’t insult me.”

The tech smirked saying...

“Look man...unlike you--I work for a living--real work--not pushing buttons or shuffling papers.  Just because you’re rich, I don’t have to take bullshit from you.  So get on the curb with the rest of the gawkers.”

Lucien felt a presence behind him and he didn’t have to turn to confirm his suspicions.  He could see by the technicians expression, that more than likely Caesar and the police officer were standing at his rear.  He quirked a smile, then he said...

“Look--my family owns a wing at Lincoln Medical Facility.  You’re going to get on the phone, call Lincoln Medical and tell them to prepare a bed for a guest of Lucien Delors.  You tell them to do whatever it takes to save this woman’s life.  Is that clear?”

Lucien eyed the other tech, because he’d joined them halfway through his monologue--and they each looked like they need to clear their ears.  Lincoln Medical Facility was the place to go if you wanted to receive the best of care.  They only used the latest and most advanced equipment.  Their diagnostic facility blew every other hospital out of the water and every patient was cared for by a private staff, whose job it was to cater to their patients every whim, desire and need.  The amenities were many and no stone was left uncovered when it came to being the best.  Lucien supposed that this, explained the deafening silence.  After a few agonizing heartbeats, the officer finally said...

“Which one of you is making this call--you or you?”

He pointed at both men, then Caesar said...

“Come on guys--stop stalling”

The technician touched his ear piece, while bobbing his head...

“Dispatch--put me through to Lincoln Medical Facility.  Yeah--you heard me right--Lincoln Medical Facility.  And before they get on the line--tell them to roll out the red carpet--courtesy of Lucien Delors” he nodded at something he’d heard from dispatch, then replied saying...

“Tell them, we’re in bound, and reroute the data transmission from the Samaritan Hospital, since she won’t be going there.  Instead--send the information to Lincoln Medical Facility.  And tell them--we’ll keep them updated throughout the flight.”

Lucien turned to Caesar, then he said,,,

“Change of plans.”

“I sorta figured that out.”  Caesar said...  “You gonna call your family--or should I break the news?”

“Neither...”  Lucien said.  They stood back as the medical transport hovered overhead, then glided over three city blocks.  While they walked over to the chopper, Lucien said...

“It’s the holiday, and I don’t see the wisdom in worrying my family.  I’m sure they’ll tell me to let the solicitor handle this...but I don’t agree.  I think this situation requires hands on involvement from a Delors’.  And since I’m here--and I’m sort of a witness--I see no need to bother anyone else with this problem.”

“I get your point boss...but do you think that your family will feel any better if you decide to blowoff the rest of the day?  I’m just saying...being a no show is a guaranteed way to seed worry and concern”

“Yes--you’re right.”

Lucien knew that his pilot was right. Before he left the Ball, he’d promised Chantel that he would return.

“Damn”

He cursed.  He didn’t want to worry his family--but he also knew that he would not abandon that woman.  He had a responsibility and he accepted, if he called home, no amount of reasoning would suffice.

They were flying overhead when clarity hit him and this answer was his only recourse.  He lifted his phone, then pressed her number.  After several rings, the phone was answered.

“Eliza Pendleton...”  In the background, a chorus of sounds filled the receiver, making hearing her difficult.

Lucien spoke loud enough to be heard over the noise.

“Eliza...this is Lucien...did I catch you at a bad time?”

Eliza and Lucien had been friends for years, and before taking the job at the Governors office, she’d been on retainer for a subsidiary controlled by one of the Delors holding companies.  He could barely hear her when she responded.

“You know me Lucien.  Since the crack of dawn, I’ve been making the rounds with the governor, and a few of his cabinet members.”

There was a strange tone in her voice.  A sadness that he heard, the longer she talked.

“Actually, the governor is leaving now, and I’m heading for the door--then, after a quick stop at my hotel, I’ll change into my white gown, then, I plan to spend the remainder of my day at your family’s White Ball.”

This was exactly what he’d expected.  He could hear the lessening of sounds and he assumed, that maybe she’d found a quiet room to talk and continue their conversation.

“If you’re calling me...I take it that you’re not at your family’s house.  What’s wrong?”

“There’s a problem Eliza--and I need your help.  But..., first...I have to ask; are you all right?  You sound like there’s something wrong on your end.”

There was silence and he didn’t venture to make sense of it.  Lucien could hear muffled party noises but as for Eliza; he couldn’t even hear the rise and fall of her breaths.  A few seconds passed, when he broke the silence.

“Eliza...talk to me.  What’s wrong?”

“Lucien...didn’t you just say that you needed my help.”

“Yes...but...”

“No buts.  You know me.  I know how to separate my life from my job.”

“But, Eliza...you don’t work for me anymore.  This favor is from one friend to the other--and what I’m hearing in your voice leads me to believe that you need a friend right now.”

Eliza sighed heavily when she offloaded her troubles.

“I just found out that a friend of mines took his own life.”

“Oh no, Eliza.  I’m so sorry to hear that.”

“Yes... so was I.  But...well, what’s done is done and I can’t change what happened.”

Lucien strained to hear because  he thought he heard a sniffle.  Eliza said...

“So...what’s that favor.”

“Eliza...after what you’ve just shared...I couldn’t possibly impose upon you.”

“Please Lucien....I want to help.  I need to keep busy.”

Eliza was a workaholic and when she’d worked for him, one of her responsibilities had been crisis management.  As far as he knew; she worked for the governor in the same capacity.  But...he couldn’t pretend that she had not been affected by the death of her friend.  Then Lucien wondered if this person had been a mutual friend.

Trying to be tactful, he asked...

“Was this person a close friend?”

Eliza paused before answering and truthfully, she was heartbroken.

“Yes...we were close but when I last saw him...we parted ways--and feelings were hurt.  I never had the chance to say that I was sorry--and now...well, I guess he’ll never know that I’d forgiven him.”

“I’m so sorry Eliza...look...no worries.  I’ll handle this.”

“Lucien...you know me.  Work is my brand of medicine.  Hell...I’ve got a long day ahead of me...and the governor is expecting me to escort him to your family’s White Ball.”

“Did you tell him about your friend’s death.”

“No...and when you see him this evening...you won’t mention it either.  Do you understand?”

He nodded while saying...

“Of course.  I’d never do anything that might compromise you or your job.”

“Thanks Lucien.”

“For what...?”

“For being you.  For being a good friend.”

Eliza’s voice switched to a commanding voice.  She sounded like she was rounding up her troops and preparing to head out into battle.

“So...what’s the favor?  Today has been one party after the next--the governor is behaving, and his aids are being perfect angel’s.  I’m a problem solver and these people aren’t giving me anything to work with.”

“All right...but are you sure.”

“Yes...I’m sure.”  She said without a seconds hesitation.